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On Tuesday night, Arsenal took on Real Madrid at the Emirates Stadium in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final. Heading into the match, not many would have anticipated Arsenal to get a result, considering the gap in quality between the two teams over the last few years.
The first half saw no goals from either side, but it wasn't a result of reserved setups from either team. Instead, it was a result of both goalkeepers putting in stellar performances. Shortly into the second half, though, Declan Rice netted a phenomenal goal, which could not be stopped by Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Just shy of the hour mark, Arsenal received a direct free kick just outside the Real Madrid box. Unsurprisingly, Declan Rice stepped up to take the free kick, but surprisingly, he scored one of the best goals Arsenal have ever scored in the Premier League.
Watch Declan Rice's world-class free kick during Arsenal vs Real Madrid
DECLAN RICE WITH A MOMENT OF MAGIC 🪄
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) April 8, 2025
An excellent free kick from the Arsenal midfielder see's the host go in front#UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/Vopmz8aCUZ
The goal opened the scoring for Arsenal, on a night where they could have only dreamt about scoring. In games like this, Arsenal were looking towards set pieces (like they often do) but nobody would have anticipated Declan Rice to capitalise on a direct free kick, quite the way he did.
Unsurprisingly, when they were presented with the replay on the big screens, the Emirates Stadium faithful were gobsmacked. The big replay was met with a different reaction from each angle, as fans were left with nothing to say but "oh" and "wow".
And, up there with the first one, Declan Rice added to the night of his life by scoring yet another free kick just minutes later. I know, it's difficult to believe even reading it, right?
Well, if you're still in a state of disbelief then, firstly, you are not alone but secondly, feast your eyes on this second masterpiece from the England midfielder.
DECLAN RICE HAS DONE IT AGAIN 🤯
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) April 8, 2025
Another excellent free kick puts Arsenal up 2-0 at the Emirates#UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/xXezgRvfJq
Ultimately, the game finished by a scoreline of 3-0, since Mikel Merino scored an impressive finish himself to give Arsenal a comfortable lead to take to the Bernabeu. Fun fact: Merino has now scored against Real Madrid more times than any other team in his career; that's got to count for something.
On a night when the collective team performance secured the win for Arsenal, it would be impossible to ignore the involvement of Declan Rice. It was his best individual display ever and if Arsenal make it through to the semi-final, they have their most lucrative investment to thank.